I heard self-mediation helps

“You want to...what?” Alphinaud glanced up from his book, annoyed. “Alisaie, didn’t I tell you not to interrupt me when I’m reading unless it is an emergency?”

“It is an emergency,” Alisaie insisted. “It might not sound like it to you, but to me it is really important.”

Alphinaud sighed. This was totally not an emergency, in the sense that the world isn’t in immediate danger. He understood that training is important to Alisaie and that she treats time lost almost as seriously as losing her equipment. Alphinaud didn’t retort, however. After all, this is what makes Alisaie Alisaie; impatient, wilful and bossy. It’s no wonder she does not have a boyfriend or girlfriend yet. A girl with her slender body, pretty face and confidence is bound to attract people around her...but her personality leaves much to be desired for a serious relationship.

Besides, he suspected that she’s not interested in a relationship of any kind. Her mind is too one-tracked towards saving the world to even consider something complex like a love interest. It’s a shame really. There were times when even he found himself feeling uncomfortably… ‘unsettled’ around her, especially when she’s near him. Truth be told, if they weren’t siblings, he would probably try to muster some courage to ask her out. Probably.

“Okay, tell me what you want from me again, and this time explain yourself,” Alphinaud said.

“Right,” Alisaie replied. “I was trying to improve my skills as a fighter but recently I felt like I wasn’t not improving. People kept advising me to take a break and clear my mind, do some self-meditation. So I tried, but...I don’t think it’s working. When I closed my eyes, they said that I have to relax and stop thinking and stuff like that but honestly the moment I sit down, I want to stand up and hit the training dummy again.”

Alphinaud wasn’t surprised. The thought of his sister trying to do any form of self-meditation was laughable. She was always a ‘doer’. She needs a goal and some kind of affirmation that she’s doing things right along the way. That’s why training is easy for her. After training, her feeling tired and sore makes her satisfied.

“I suppose you want me to help you with this meditation,” Alphinaud concluded. “I can see why you ask me now, dear sister.”

“I knew you’d understand! So, shall we do it now?”

“Not now,” Alphinaud said. “I need to read about this self-meditation thing and practice a bit. I heard it can backfire if not performed well. But don’t worry, I won’t take long and it shouldn’t be too difficult for me. Come back to my room after evening.”

“I knew I could count on you,” Alisaie gave a smile that Alphinaud had never seen before. It was a genuine smile of gratitude, and it made Alphinaud’s heart skip a beat.

“So I just sit here and follow your instructions,” Alisaie repeated the instructions from Alphinaud. “Is that it?”

“Yes, pretty much,” Alphinaud said. “In a way, I’m just guiding you, so whether this works or not is all up to how well you follow my instructions.”

“Sounds easy enough,” Alisaie said. “Is there a trick to it to make sure it works though? Perhaps a way I am breathing or whatnot?”

Alphinaud shook his head. “You just have to follow my instructions, that’s all. Just remember that there is no right and wrong way. Just do . I guess the trick, if anything, is to not worry about doing anything wrong. I will adjust the instructions according so just leave it to me.”

Alisaie nodded. “I see, that makes sense. I’ll leave it to you then.”

With that, Alphinaud started the induction. He picked a simple script, one that uses her awareness of her surroundings, something that Alisaie was exceptionally good at. “...Notice now the sound of the rain outside, each drop melting your worries away as you become more and more relaxed, breathing in...and out, all your worries washed away with each breath. In...and out, letting each thought go, all that matters is my voice…”

Alphinaud continued to speak. He had already memorized the entire script. He observed Alisaie, checking if he needed to make any changes. Man, she’s cute. His heartbeat rose. He could feel something stirring within him. He knew Alisaie was pretty, but seeing her sitting there helpless, calm and relaxed was something else. She looked like an angel. What a waste , if only she wasn’t bossy and headstrong , Alphinaud thought.

“Just breath in and out, relaxing all your muscles. You are alone at the beach, at Ala Mhigo. The war seems so far away. You will return to it soon, but for now you just want to enjoy the beach…” Alphinaud said as he watched her. Alisaie’s eyes were fluttering, a soft smile slowly spreading across her face. He caught her head falling back, slowly resting it on the top of the armchair’s back. Her posture fell as she slid down the chair a little. Alphinaud had never seen her this relaxed and sloppy before. She was always sitting straight with a near-perfect posture.

“Just relax, so far away now, just you at the beach…” He checked her eyes, rolling up her eyelids. Her eyes were whited out, completely knocked out. She’s gone , Alphinaud concluded. It was a success.

Alphinaud returned to his seat and prepared the next phase of the session. When he sat, his eyes fell on straight to the lower body of Alisaie.

By the Twelve…

He could see it. Underneath Alisaie’s skirt was unmistakably her panties. He had not noticed that as she slid down, her legs were, too, fully relaxed and thus fully apart. Shit shit shit. Alphinaud tried to maintain his composure. The stability of his voice is too important for the induction. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes. Calm down. It’s just your sister’s panties. Just finish the induction. He took a mouthful of water from the cup beside him, and continued.

“...the next time you wake up, you will be able to focus a lot better in your training. You will find that you are able to concentrate better in a fight, blocking out all the unnecessary noise whenever you wish.”

In theory, that should do it. This should allow Alisaie to have better control over her own concentration and focus in training. All that’s left is to have more sessions so strengthen the effect.

Alphinaud gulped. Her eyes fell onto her white panties again. It was rather unexpected. He would think someone like Alisaie would be wearing black or red ones, maybe ones that are more bold and fancy. He didn’t expect them to be an innocent white.

Or maybe she just didn’t care.

It was possible for someone like her. ‘Why change the appearance of something no one is going to look at it?’ sounded like something Alisaie would preach.

He looked at Alisaie, sleeping calmly. His next step was supposed to be waking her up, but seeing her helpless made him...excited. This situation never happens, where he has some form of control over his sister. All these years he had to put up with her bossing around, being reckless and stubborn, and giving him headaches. It would be a waste not to do something about that!

“When I count to 10, you are going to wake up. When you wake up, you are going to feel refreshed and raring to go. Also,” Alphinaud paused for a moment. This is it. I’m going to do it, “whenever I and only I say the words ‘I can’t swim’, you will immediately fall back into this state of sleep. It will be instinctual, almost natural, as if it’s part of your life. Do you understand?”

“Yes…” Alisaie’s voice leaked out.

“One,” Alphinaud started counting. “Five, six…” He could see Alisaie’s eyes flutter rapidly, but still in trance. “...nine, ten! Wake up!” Alisaie’s eyes flew open. She blinked, seemingly a little jarred. “Hey, you alright?” Alphinaud asked. “Noticed anything different?”

“I feel...refreshed, I guess?” Alisaie said. “My head seems...clearer? I don’t know.”

“Well, like they said, it takes some time before you will notice any changes,” Alphinaud said. “But how was it? What did you remember?”

“I remember feeling relaxed. It was pleasant. Oh yeah, and I dreamt that I was at a beach at Ala Mihgo,” she said. “How was I?”

Couldn’t you give more description , sis ? Alphinaud thought. “You did really well actually. You went rather deep. I think if we keep this up for a few more sessions, we will really see some results.”

“Oh!” Alisaie perked up. “If that’s the case let’s do it as many times as possible. How does tomorrow night sound?”

“Hmm, I was about to do some research tomorrow night...” Alphinaud said.

“Oh, I’ll make it up to you, I promise,” Alisaie said. “Take it as if I owe you a favor.”

Hmm . Alphinaud thought of an idea. “‘I can’t swim.’”

Alisaie’s eyes rolled up and her eyelids closed, as her body slowly became limp. “Whoa!” Alphinaud managed to catch her before she fell. He slowly sat her back onto the chair. “Whew that was close,” he said. “The next time you enter this state, you will find that you will be able to maintain the last position you are in.”

He gave a pause. He checked her eyes again, making sure that Alisaie is deep in trance. “Good girl, just relax. Tell me Alisaie, do you feel like you owe Alphinaud a favor for sacrificing his time to help you?”

There was a slight nod. “Yes...” she said.

“Would you do anything to repay the favour? Anything that Alphinaud asks for?” Alphinaud asked.

Her eyebrows furrowed. “Yes…?”

Ah. Alphinaud took note of the frown. She is uncertain about that. Most likely she trusted Alphinaud enough not to ask her to do anything over the top. Normally, he wouldn’t, of course. Normally.

“The next time you wake up, you will ask Alphinaud about the favor you owe him. After all, he is willing to sacrifice his precious, personal time to help you. In return, it should only be fair if he asks something equivalent from you as well, do you agree?” He purposely used the words ‘something equivalent’. Of course, he meant ‘something personal’, but Alisaie’s mind should be able to figure that out, knowing how straightforward she is. “

“Yes...equivalent…” the words came out of her mouth.

“Also, repaying a favour is simply a transaction, nothing more. You ask Alphinaud for his precious things, you repay him with something precious too. There are no emotions involved, only gratitude for Alphinaud for allowing the transaction. It is simply business. Do you understand?”

“Yes…simply...business…”

“When I clap my hands, you will be wide awake, ready to ask Alphinaud about the favour before you leave the room.”

He clapped his hands. Alisaie’s eyes flew open. She got up from the chair, not even questioning how she got there in the first place. “Oh hm, where were we?” she said. “Oh right, the favour. Is there anything you need? Perhaps getting a book from the library? Or obtaining a rare material from a dungeon?”

Alphinaud’s heart started to beat faster. This is it. Now is the time to test whether the experiment is a success. “There is one thing…” Alphinaud started. “And there is no one else to ask this of other than you.”

“That’s perfect then!” Alisaie’s eyes lit up. “What is it?”

“I-I...” Alphinaud looked away, “I need your panties.” Actually saying the word ‘panties’ was more embarrassing than he thought. He braced himself for any possible backlash from Alisaie. If it were the normal Alisaie, she would surely be mad at him.

“Wha-?” Alisaie’s face at first was one of shock, but then she calmed down and gave a thoughtful expression. “Hmm, I guess it’s only fair that you take something precious from me, especially since I took your precious time.”

Her hands went underneath her skirt and she slid down her panties. She folded it into a square and handed it to Alphinaud without a hint of embarrassment on her face. Alphinaud was trying hard to keep his composure. His sister’s panties! In his hands! And she is now walking around in commando! “I...I’m sorry. I’ll return it as soon as I can.”

Alisaie gave a confused look. “Oh you can keep it as long as you’d like. I have more where that came from. Although…” she looked at the room door, “I just have to be careful going back to my room, I guess.”

“Alright. Thanks,” Alphinaud said. “I’ll see you tomorrow night then.”

“Good night, dear brother,” Alisaie said, a satisfied smile on her face.

Alphinaud eyed the pocket where his sister’s panties were in. “Good night, dear sister,” he said. There would be a lot to think about tonight...